Need A Great Hotel? Try Using These Tips!

What hotel you stay in could make or break your whole experience. You have to know what’s important to search for and what really isn’t important when you’re looking for the best hotel. So following is some advice to assist you in obtaining a good room at a fair price.

Prior to making reservations, research hotels on sites like TripAdvisor. Websites like TripAdvisor will give you some first-hand accounts of hotel experience from actual customers. What former guests have to say with regards to a hotel being considered can ensure you make an informed decision.

Check online hotel reviews prior to booking your stay. This gives you first-hand accounts of people’s experiences in each hotel. What former guests have to say with regards to a hotel being considered can ensure you make an informed decision.

Room service is great for late meals. This will cost you a little extra, but the convenience it provides is worth it.

You can find a lot of great deals on hotels if you go online and check out some of the travel sites out there. Input your loyalty info when you are looking for rates online. Don’t neglect to check for other discounts in which you may qualify, including AAA and AARP.

Use your hotel room’s safe to keep your valuables secure. You can stash your expensive electronics and jewelry in the safe and go about your day without worry.

If you want a nice meal at night with your special someone, and you are too comfortable in your room to go out, order some food through room service. Although you’ll probably pay more, it is worth being able to comfortably dine in the room while in pajamas.

Take a look into organizations you are part of. Many of them offer hotel discounts to members. It is easy to forget about the discounts. On a multiple night stay, these savings can really add up. That’s almost an extra free night throughout an entire week.

Know the hotel’s check-in time. Many hotel guests will forget their check-in time; therefore, they will arrive at the hotel just to discover that they cannot check in yet. If you can’t help your arrival time being early, you can ask for an early check-in but it might cost a bit extra.

Search for hotel deals online. A lot of the time, when you book a room with someone, they’ll tell you there aren’t any online discounts. This leaves the job of finding discounts entirely up to you. Review the different websites, such as Jetsetter or SniqueAway.

Do not assume that each hotel welcomes pets. Call and ask before you reserve. In addition, get specifics with regard to the pet policy, because only particular breeds or sizes of pets may be permitted at the hotel.

Although many hotels have certain rooms that allow pets, never assume your hotel will without researching ahead of time. Call before you book so that you know for sure. Verify exactly what is meant by “pet-friendly” since certain breeds and pets over a certain size may not be allowed.

If you’re going to be wanting a massage at your hotel, book it well in advance. Many top masseuses book by name, so plan as early as possible.

If you are a member of AAA, ask about a hotel discount. You might be surprised to learn that your membership to the auto club also includes discounts on hotels. You can save five percent or more on certain hotels. These savings quickly add up, especially if you are staying for multiple nights in a row.

If you belong to the AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. You could also get a surprise that you have an auto club membership that gives you hotel discounts. You can save more than five percent on hotels all over the country. This really adds up when you are staying for many nights.

Frequent travelers can benefit from loyalty programs offered by many hotels. They offer a variety of benefits to their members. There are many rewards given when you accumulate loyalty points such as free stays, free upgrades and later than usual check out times.

Do you travel a lot? Consider using a hotel loyalty program. There are some great benefits offered to clients who often book the same chain. You will be able to earn stuff like a free upgrade, an allowance to check out late, and even free stays when you get enough points.

Do you use the same hotels on a regular basis? If so, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. They work a lot like frequent flier miles do with airlines. You earn points in a similar way. These points can be traded in for restaurant discounts, tickets to shows, free nights at the hotel, and much more.

If you stay at the same hotels all the time, check to see if they have a frequent-stay program. Just like frequent flyer mile programs, these hotel programs offer you points for your stay. You might earn free stays and discounts, show tickets, or other things.

If you don’t want to get a big expense on the hotel bill you get, speak to the place about hotel transfers prior to booking things. Many times, rooms seem to be a good deal, but there are hidden fees for this service. Asking about this beforehand will help to maximize your savings.

You may wish to consider a “green” vacation if the environment is one of your concerns. There are several green hotels around. Newer hotels are often certified green and designed and built using green standards. Older hotels can’t always do this, but instead choose to adhere to certain green practices. Request the help of the travel agent in identifying hotels that are environmentally friendly.

When checking your hotel accommodations for bed bugs, begin in the bathroom. This is the place least likely to have bedbugs. That is what makes it the best place to start. You can store your luggage there and search the rest of your room for those bedbugs. Not to mention a great place for your children and pets too.

Hotel Rooms

Always know the hotel smoking policy wherever you stay if you personally smoke. A lot of hotels have rooms designated for smokers. If so, you should avail yourself of this option. Smoking in a non-smoking room can be a big no-no and you may even be charged an extra cleaning fee.

The price for any give hotel room is going to affected by how early you book the room. Hotel rooms are priced based on how many are available. Whenever you can, maker your room reservation no more than a day ahead of time. This gives you the best prices in reserving hotel rooms. Hotels don’t earn money on empty rooms, so they are often willing to reduce the price.

You should be aware of the hotel’s policy concerning pets. If you have an allergy, or you just don’t like dogs, it may not be in your best interest to book a hotel that lets guests bring their pets. The smells tend to stick around. There may be an extra fee to have a pet stay. The fee charged may not be adequate to cover the extra cleaning needed to completely remove the odors.

Before you decide to book, always find out if there are any hotel transfer fees so you won’t be surprised on your bill. Many times, rooms seem to be a good deal, but there are hidden fees for this service. Be sure and inquire about this beforehand so that you get your savings.

It’s not often possible to check in to a hotel room early. If you are going to arrive early, plan on doing something to fill your time. The room has to be cleaned ahead of your check in. If you do arrive before the normal check-in, you can ask if it’s possible to do so early, but this should not be expected.

Become a member of AAA in order to make your travel arrangements easier. People who are AAA members receive discounts at many hotel chains. In addition, having a AAA membership will make it easier to get a rental car when it’s needed. Parents of small children will probably like the car seat that’s provided for free in a lot of locations.

Ask for a crib or fold-out bed when you make your reservations. Some hotels do not have these items, and most have limited quantities. Certain hotels will even charge a fee for these things. Discuss these needs when making your reservation to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Try to avoid long distance calling in hotel rooms. If you don’t have a cell phone or the Internet, buy a calling card to keep with you during your trip. Skype connections are available in many hotels these days using Wi-Fi. This will help you converse with those back home without racking up a lofty bill.

Never check out earlier than your scheduled departure unless it is absolutely necessary. An early departure charge may be added to your bill if you leave sooner. You reserve a room when you book it, so if you leave early they lose money. This is why they have the departure fee, to get their money back that they would have otherwise lost.

Smoking Rooms

To be safe, avoid the top bedspread that is provided by the hotel. Most hotels only wash the sheets on the bed; however, the bedspread is normally not washed. This means they may be a hotbed of germs. Remove the bedspread and use your own travel blanket or comforter, instead.

Look into the smoking policies in the hotel you are considering. If you are a nonsmoker, you may want to avoid hotels that offer smoking rooms. You may be able to get a non smoking rooms still, but you can get smoke in the air which will stick to you. There are times when smokers light up in a non-smoking room. If you don’t want to smell like cigarettes after leaving your hotel room, you might want to look for a non-smoking hotel.

Be aware of your options in case a hotel “walks” you. You might find that a room you booked isn’t available when you arrive because they overbooked. The hotel will then “walk” you, or direct you to a different hotel. Avoid getting “walked” whenever you can, but if you have to switch hotels, be certain that your reservation there is equivalent or even an upgrade.

Do not check out early. Hotels often charge early departure fees. Once you have confirmed your reservation, understand that the room is reserved for you, and the hotel loses money if you leave early. To earn back this money they will lose, they charge you an additional departure fee.

If you wish to get a low hotel rate, you shouldn’t book when the tourist season is at its peak. Usually, hotels charge their highest rates during these seasons. Try booking a room when it’s harder for hotels to fill rooms, like during the off-season. This way, your chance at getting a great rate is higher.

If you are worried about your hygiene, you might want to not use the hotel’s bedspread. Sheets and blankets are washed regularly, while bedspreads usually aren’t. It may be a carrier of bacteria and germs. Take the bedspread off of the bed.

Try your best to score a free upgrade during your hotel stay. An easy way to get this to happen is to show up on time for when you’re supposed to be checking in. Sometimes, rooms aren’t ready when patrons arrive, and the hotels give them better rooms for no extra charge.

If a hotel tries to “walk” you, know what your rights are. Hotels sometimes over-book, and this can leave you without a room. As a result, hotels will attempt to escort you to another hotel. Avoid this if possible, but if must go to another hotel, make sure you get a comparable or better room and the travel to there paid for.

If you need to book a hotel room while already traveling, check gas stations or rest areas for free pamphlets containing maps of the area and information about local services. This will help you call ahead and reserve the room that’s right for you.

Just a small amount of preparation makes your trip much easier. More preparation, even easier. You have to know when booking is right and where to go. Follow the tips presented here to find an excellent hotel at an affordable price.

Do not pay the posted price at any hotel. A savvy traveler knows not to pay this “rack rate.” Hotels generally think you’re going to barter with them anyways. Ask the hotel for a better deal. Stay strong! Many travel websites also have significant discounts available.